Student Teaching - Day 65

Well, now that it's done and over, I have to say, it was worth all the sweat, tears, sleepless nights, anxious mornings and semesters of planning.  I really had a blast (even though that last sentence makes it seem really painful--but it mostly applies to the semesters leading UP to my Student Teaching.)

Today, Mrs. Josie surprised me with a book of notes from my students.

Book Cover

Honestly, I shed a few tears (some of laughter!) but all the notes were very sincere and sweet.  I'm going to miss everyone!  Here's a few of my faves just for kicks and giggles:

From a student who claimed to hate computers.

From his friend who loved computers and was VERY good at them.

From all the TA's

From a sweet girl obsessed with Cody, obviously.

From a student who had a traumatic experience at the begging of the semester.
She is seriously the braves girl in that whole school.
(Also very classy, sweet and smart.... and talkative.)

From an awesome TA who worked with me for two class periods.

From my students, some with disabilities, all of whom worked VERY hard to succeed in class!

From the Cody previously mentioned.
He was a sweet kid (even if he did flirt with all the ladies to the point of distraction -- which
was a problem that we worked together on until we were both happy with the arrangement).

In all reality, I am surprised at how easy it was for me to get into a groove.  It's like I got started, got busy and then looked up only to find that that I was at the end.  I am really grateful I had some serious support to make it fun.  Thanks to my cooperating teacher, Josie Reynaud, I can say that it was an amazing experience and very fun to complete!  She told me in the very beginning that the best way to keep my sanity was to go to lunch with her and the ladies every day.  Boy was she right!  Getting to know the Lunch Bunch (a group of VERY fun ladies who probably wish to remain anonymous!) made the time go faster and helped me to laugh at the stuff that didn't really matter.  I found that their friendship made me want to work in a school more than anything. It was nice to have teachers and staff members see me as a co-worker, even though I was a volunteer.  Thanks to everyone at SHHS who made me fall in love teaching!

Student Teaching - Day 59

Wow!  I made it to Spring Break!!  YAY!!!

I have so many goals I want to accomplish with this week of free time! I've made a huge to-do list of all the things I need to do before I can graduate (coming up in 26 days!):

• Make a graduation invitation on facebook 
• Complete the Utah State Ethics review online
• Write my Graduation speech (I told you guys I was elected Valedictorian, right?)
• Complete my interview assignment (I basically will give myself a job interview to prepare for future teaching positions -- post in the comments if you want to see it when it's done!)
• Complete the grading assignment (I interviewed some teachers on their grading philosophies, feel free to read it here)
• Complete Part III of my Senior Project.
• Write my management case studies.
• Make a vlog?

Well, the Vlog probably won't happen because I also have a huge to-do list for the wedding.  It includes:

• Take my dress to the alterer
• Drop off my ring to be resized (and pick it up a week later)
• Go to my bridal shower at UVU
• Go to my bridal shower in Logan
• Keep bleaching my teeth!
• Get some much needed rest!

Not to mention that I need to finish some projects for my students:

• Grade Excel Projects
• Prepare for Accounting lessons
• Prepare review for Excel Test
• Update Canvas pages for the rest of the term!

Let's hope I can get all this done and be ready to finish my student teaching with a BANG!

UPDATE:  I got really sick two days after writing up this list.  I think I finished about half of the items and managed to drag myself through the other half.  Thank goodness that I had time to just lay in bed and relax!  I guess I accomplished one of the goals for sure!

Student Teaching - Day 45

Sorry to disappoint, but videos will be rare from here on out.  Student teaching is taking up a lot of my energy and free time.  I don't think I will survive.

It's not that the kids are wearing me out or anything.  In fact, they are really great kids.  They rarely misbehave, and when they do it is usually because they are flirting with each other.

No, it's the wedding planning and being away from my fiance that are killing me.  Every day, I go to school and I teach and give and am selfless, and then by the time I get home, I have tons of emails, texts, phone calls and errands to run for the wedding planning.  Then of course, I want to take time to talk to my fiance, so by the time everything is in a stable condition (No! Not crossed off the to-do list!  Just in a manageable place!) I get to go to sleep and wake up and do it all over again. 

I have no idea how teachers have a life outside of their jobs.  I feel like I could always be tweaking and improving my instruction methods and course ideas.  Or grading.  Or building better student-teacher relationships. Or contacting parents.  Or brainstorming with other teachers.  There is just so much to do and so little time to do it!

So many days I send my students out of class and I wonder, did I really teach them anything?  What did they get out of today's lesson?  Do they feel that the work they are doing is important for their success in life, like I do?

Luckily, these questions don't keep me up at night.  Nothing does!  I'm too tired to think, I usually just collapse at the end of the day.  I can't keep this up forever, but I feel like it is worth it to pour my heart into my teaching and do my really best.  The good news is there are only 20 days left!  I hope I use them well!

Student Teaching - Day 30

I found out today that one of my students did indeed record our lesson on Making a Post!
I am flattered that he found it funny how I dance around the classroom looking like a fool.

But more importantly, I hope that he remembers the lyrics to our song on the test!

The song was originally titled, "I Take A Walk" and was written by Passion Pit.

I rewrote the lyrics to help my students remember the steps for accounting.

Student Teaching - Day 27

Today was great!  I felt more relaxed, had more fun and got to know more students.

I am really starting to enjoy getting to know each student and their personalities.

I keep seeing students who were behind or struggling come in after school and during lunch, so I feel like I am making a lot of progress and helping them to improve.  

Funny story: 
Last week I caught one of my students sluffing his English class and I told him that I had lost some trust because it wasn't very responsible for him to leave his group hanging and have to do a presentation without him.  I told him so when he asked to use the restroom.  Today, he came and asked me to use the restroom and before I could respond with my usual, "Yes, please just take the hall pass and be fast," he blurts out, "Don't worry!  I'll come back!"  I let my guard down and laughed really hard because I had totally forgiven and forgotten last week's experience.  But I'm glad to know that he's still looking over his shoulder!

FBLA / PBL story:

Today I got to be the backup guest speaker for the FBLA luncheon.  I talked about my experience with PBL in San Antonio, Texas and helped the students to strategize their competition time by breaking it up into smaller chunks.  It is fun to see students at the beginning of their professional experiences and be there to encourage them.

Student Teaching - Day 19

I made this video on Friday, but I've had a hard time getting it to upload. (Huge file sizes are a pain!)

Luckily, this video explains how I feel about school this week too.

Today I got a canvas email from a student that said "your so cool." 

Wrong use of your, but it still made my day!

Getting to know the students has been my favorite thing.

Here's to the next 40 days! :)

Student Teaching Day 15

I have had a lot of fun with the students in the past week!

It's been great to get to know their names and see them learning!

Now I'm over the winter blues and ready for spring.

Stay tuned!  Feel free to post your comments below!

Student Teaching Day 7

Stay tuned for more details!  Luckily, I don't teach tomorrow, so I hope to get back some energy!

* Sorry this video ended a bit abruptly, but I was just going to whine about doing homework, 

so count your blessings!

Have a blessed day!  See you next time!

Student Teaching Days 4 - 6

The last three days of the Term have been quite eventful!  Stolen candy bars, students barely passing, faculty meetings and of course, GRADING!   I want to know how I can avoid the assumption that all students are dumb.  Comment below and give me your tips!  Thank you!

Student Teaching - Day 3

Thank you for all the support! Knowing people are pulling for me will help me get through the hard days to post!  I found out today that my first formative observation from both my university supervisor and my coordinating teacher will be on January 22nd.  Got a lot of work to get ready for that!  I'll keep you posted!  Tomorrow is my first faculty meeting! 

Student Teaching - Day 1

I hope you enjoyed hearing about my first day of student teaching!  I'll be sure to share funny stories when they happen.  Feel free to post your comments below!